Portland Road, South Norwood: launderette

Image: © Christopher Hilton Taken: 1 Jun 2005

Portland Road is not an affluent area by a long way, and that seems to have meant that a lot of the shops in it were never subjected to expensive, trendy makeovers. Launderettes, as a type, seem particularly prone to lasting in their original form, presumably because if you have no washing machine you need to get your clothes washed somewhere whatever, and aren't swayed into impulse visits by trendy marketing. This establishment lasted well into the 21st century with its pre-1971, pre-decimal coinage signage unchanged - this photograph was taken in summer 2005 - but underwent a makeover a couple of years later and then closed not long after, in what I tend to see as a just punishment for robbing us of this historic frontage. See also Image, Image, Image and Image

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